'Outlander' Episode 3: Mandi and Michelle share their takes

Mandi: Well folks, we can’t have a half-naked Jamie Fraser in every episode (the world is so unfair). Don’t get me wrong, I greatly enjoyed episode three. They are not rushing events and are following the book quite well. In fact, in this episode we get to see under the kilt of someone. Right under the kilt of … Colum MacKenzie. Darn it! Why couldn’t Jamie have gotten shot in the butt or something?

Instead, Claire, trying to get in the very good graces of Colum so she can convince him to let her leave, gives Colum a massage to help manage his pain. Unfortunately for Claire, she does such a good job, I think Colum is going to want to keep her around even more.

This is a quieter episode, further exploring Castle Leoch and Claire’s new and tentative relationship with the people of the MacKenzie clan. Her ability to heal people gets called into question when her methods go against those of the church. We spend some quality time with Geiliss, who you think is going to be a great friend and ally to Claire, but starts to get suspicious just as others are of Claire’s past.

Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie, still lights up every scene for me. He does such a great job portraying so much just through the way he looks at Claire. He has that lusty stare going on and can make an inspection of a gross neck wound swoon-worthy. I already have plans to dress my husband up as Jamie for Halloween and make him call me Sassenach. It will be great fun! (At least for me.)

With five episodes left, things are going to start heating up. We have The Gathering coming up next week where Claire might make a run for it. I’m ready for a little more action! And on a final note, I want to pick up my knitting needles again and knit fingerless gloves and a cowl, or maybe just scoot on over to Etsy and buy one. I just love Claire’s outfits.

Michelle: I agree with you, Mandi. We’re sauntering through the daily life of the castle and town and I’m loving the opportunity to learn more about the major characters. One thing for sure, this was a hard, even harsh, life. Punishments sucked big-time. Where’s a defense attorney when you need one? And unknown illnesses, sheesh, you got screwed. Besides, to have your ending with Father Bain standing over you like the Grim Reaper was just plain wrong. But you know, considering how blind I am without my contact lenses, his theatrics would be a blur. Also without being able to see beyond my hand, I’d be sure to break my neck on those stone steps under all that candlelight.

Getting back to that opening scene, OMG, I almost had a heart attack when Claire disclosed her secret. I like Mrs. Fitz and all, but slow your roll with the confidential info. With that hideous misogynistic Father Bain, Claire has made an enemy. But she continues to display some mettle when handling these men. Look how fast she gets Colum to flash his bum and have him appreciative of her healing touch. Those are some mad skills. Putty in her hands … these men are.

Nice touch with the flashbacks to Frank. It’s like whoo hoo, remember me, Frank, the husband — everything in place, square around the edges, respectable and prim (whatever the male version of prim is). Thank you, director and editor. Because the flashbacks enhance the scenes with Jamie with way more excitement and expectation. Wild, rough around the edges, an outcast of sorts, and definitely not prim — Team Jamie all the way. Sorry, Frank.

My takeaways for Episode 3:

1) Fashion alert: To Mandi’s point, either the Outlander franchise starts selling merchandise or I’m going to have to learn to knit that cowl that Claire occasionally wears.

2) Mrs. Fitz is still adorable. Fierce and ready to stand her ground even to the man of the cloth. Girl power!

3) Thank you, Jamie, for getting Claire to tend to the wound. You understand the weekly need to see a bit of flesh. Keep up the good work.

4) I think to mix things up a bit in the castle, they should have a Castle Leoch Idol competition or Castle Leoch Got Talent competition. Anything to break up the long hours sitting on a hard bench listening to folk songs. I’d need a cup of whatever Claire’s drinking to get through the concert. Just being honest.

Michelle Monkou celebrates her upcoming digital release in Evernight Publishing’s Executive Assistant anthology, writing as Michelle Rhys. Her website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.